Blogging Can Create Amazing Opportunities
It really is amazing to see how much interest companies and business owners have placed in blogging over the last few years. In 2007 is when I really think a lot of companies started taking blogging more seriously. I remember back in August of 2007 when Walmart launched their official blog called The Checkout Blog. When that happened, it really excited me because then I knew that major companies were starting to see the light in how a blog can be used as an affordable and very effective form of marketing.
Those reasons alone is why I enjoy blogging. The power that can come from having a blog is something I have known for years. Before I started blogging I was a website builder. I created websites for myself as well as for customers. Today, I don’t do that too much anymore. Most every site I build, whether it is for myself or for a client, typically is a blog. The reasons are simple. A blog creates an environment which allow the author (business owner / company) to interact directly with readers (the customers).
Amazing things can happen with a blog and amazing opportunities can be generated from one as well. As it turns out, there is a pretty decent size company located in Texas who has placed a lot of interest in me and what I do online. I have been speaking with their marketing guru over the last two months quite a bit and now they want to fly me down to meet with them this Monday.
I’ll admit, I am a little nervous about going! If you have been reading my blog for awhile, then I am sure many of you have guessed, I don’t like to travel. Traveling totally stresses me out, especially traveling by air. Couple this together with traveling to meet executives so that I can sell myself and sell my ideas just makes things even worse! But, I guess that is what needed in order to take things to the next level and I’ll be honest, this opportunity does excite me.
Things should all be back to normal by Tuesday. From there, I’ll update you and let you know how everything went. In the mean time, I have a lot of work to do and I need to get prepared for the meeting. I may write another post prior to Sunday, but we’ll see. Wish me luck!
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72 comments
Good luck Garry.
About the flight: Think of all the thousands of flights that happen each HOUR with no incidence. Just a routine flight.
About the presentation: Take a deep breath, relax and have confidence. You the man! No one knows this stuff better than you. Don’t tell yourself how badly you want their business (or job), tell yourself how badly they want you. Your in control.
Let us know how it turns out. We want DETAILS!
Hi Gary
Everything is going to be alright
Traveling is one of my least favorite things too so I feel for you.
As for the presentation don’t sell yourself short, be confident in your abilities and you will come off looking good. Let them know exactly what you can do and why you are good at it!
Good luck mate!
I would just remind yourself that they are interested in you because of what you have already done. There should be no need to sell. They were interested in you before you were aware of them. Just be yourself. You haven’t lost anything…at the very least someone thought enough of your work to pay to have you come see them. Have fun and know that this is just the beginning!
Haha… I am such a homebody!!! But aside from all that I am pretty darn excited.
Garry, we’ll have to meet up when you’re in town! I think it’s great that you’re getting this kind of recognition. I hope this opportunity works out for you.
Gary, Ive said it before and I’ll say it again, I don’t follow any blog but yours, and that may not sound like a big deal, but I work online for a living as do you. I get e-mails everyday from no less than 100 major bloggers, I read there posts if there lucky, but I go out of my way to read yours everyday, I had noticed you have been busy with something lately, as was evident in my e-mails with you earlier. You came through for me,..and I wish you the best of luck in Texas. Good things happen to good people…GOOD LUCK IN ALL YOU DO!!! KNOCK EM DEAD!!
Awesome dude, you’ll be fine, it’s not that serious, remember, they are interested in you lol. Just give em you man and you’ll be fine.
As long as I don’t F**k up the presentation things will be fine. lol
Oh and yeah… for sure man, as we said in chat, email me your contact info so that we can see if there’ll be a time to hook up.
Thank you Jim,
Your comment means a lot to me. You are right man… I totally dropped the ball on your account and I was so upset with myself about that this morning. I am very happy to see how understanding you are and very excited to discover how much you enjoy reading what I write. Thanks man… once again, that means a lot to me bud.
Quit stressing, I’m sure this trip will be the one to determine your future. Knowing you as I do, I have no doubt that you’ll have a ball, even though it’s supposed to be work. LOL
Thanks bud!!! If I end up landing an office with a great view, I’ll make sure that they also hook NormalJoe up with the office next to mine… I do believe that spit ball fights are in order. LOL!!!
I want to come. LMK when and where.
Oh I know how to throw the stress on YOU… I am going to require an assistant. Wanna get away?? lol
“I have no doubt that you’ll have a ball”
If the stories I’ve heard are even half-way true…;)
Hey Paul!
Awesome to hear from you bud! It has been so much fun blogging together for the last year. I still remember when you told me how you hooked your mom up with her amazing blog. And your blog, AskaCFI, is smoking hot man! Nice work.
Thanks for the positive words… I am thrilled to have an opportunity like this and you know… you’re totally right. I appreciate your advice.
No worries… I will let you know how things panned out for sure.
Its a good thing you weren’t flying into Texas today, we had some big rain storms with some amazing wind. We fly two thirty foot flags over our businesses and we got them down just before it hit. Our competitor across the street didn’t get his down, I thought his flag pole was going to snap.
Anyway, Monday should be fine. Good Luck.
Hi Charlene!
I am very happy to hear from you. You’re right, I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I think some of the nervousness comes from me not wanting to loss something that could be gained. Hehe… but going in with that attitude for sure will help. You’re awesome. Thanks for your kind words.
Howdy Partner,
Just remember to wear your cowboy hat and boots. They will like that in Texas.
Oh yeah. Be sure to take your notebook computer and just show them what you do so well. They will like that even more than your hat.
Remember that you have the skills and work ethic to make your own good luck so I am confident that you will do well.
Just be yourself like you are with us. You will be awesome! Best of luck. Doreen
Totally man… I will know more tomorrow morning… email me your contact info just as Mark S is doing and let me know what your schedule is. That would be a pretty cool bonus to meet you too. Bryan also stressed interest in hooking up too. He said something about having a party in his apartment and wants to encourage that we trash it. LOL
No reason to be nervous. Just be your enthusiastic, upbeat self, Garry. You know your stuff. And they need you a lot more than you need them. That’s a great position to be in. Knock ‘em dead!
GARRY!
You have absolutely no reason to be worried. You are a professional and make “speeches” to the world every day through your blog. The only difference hear is that the people can see you… nothing else. We all know you’ll be successful during your trip to Texas and you have all of our support.
Good Luck
Yeah, that’s gonna happen. It’s not like I have anything else going on in my life. Oh wait, I have a million other things going on in my life.
Thanks for the offer, but I’ll just have to keep being your virtual assistant for now. But, if you need something written for the trip, or after the trip, let me know. I’m almost done with my current assignment.
As for the plane, I like to make lots of take off noises as the plane is going down the runway and then into the air. It relieves stress for me.
For the presentation, just remember, everyone puts pants on one leg at a time. They are human.
I have a lot of faith in you. Fear is good. It helps with humility. You will do just fine. My prayers are with you. You are our Ambassador!
No, no ,no…no stress. Enjoy; people will be absorbing your information. I am on a teeny tiny scale compared to you, but since I know what I know, and share it, …it helps everybody (people love it). You are now Garry Helper Conn.
Don’t know if you know Colin MacDougall, but he does a healthy online business and gave 1/2 his presentation with his back to the audience, because his face was beet-red. It was funny as anything.
And pretty much ignore Jabna’s weather report.
If you have time, have an assistant make a handout – ?
Gary, how exciting for you!
My advice to you would be to get clear on what you would really like to come of this meeting. Exciting opportunities can have a way of clouding our thinking so we forget what the real point of it all is. Get clear, relax, and trust that you’re moving in the right direction regardless of how this meeting turns out. Just my two cents.
Wishing you and your family the very best.
Hey Garry! I’m finally commenting on here!
You really have some opportunities coming your way — so much luck to your soon-to-be success!
Garry,
Your blogs speak for themselves–No doubt in my mind that you’re going to ace it. Your web design knowledge, SEO skills, and ability to be so personable with a keyboard and mouse are skills that any company desire.
Get used to nice clothes, fancy cars, and expensive suits homey. I’ll be doing my best to follow your footsteps. You’re a role model for all of us.
Nerves of steel man! Go get em!
Garry, they are flying you in because you are not them. You are informed. You are powerful. You are what they need.
GET IT!!!!
Enjoy the flight for the marvel of technology that it is. You are about to be flying like a bird. INCREDIBLE! I am blown away every time I step on a plane.
Oh good… cuz you’re becoming toooooooooo expensive for me anyway!!! Sheesh… LOL {joking} Oh shit… I am soooo going to pay for that comment badly. lol
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Hehe… What sweet lies has Christine been whispering into your virgin ears again?
Oh, you have no idea. LOLOLOL
Oh Gawd….. he comes the Request Payment emails from Paypal.com SHIT!!!
I don’t really mind the actual air travel (minus being packed in like monkeys, fighting over the arm rest, getting hit in the head with over head luggage, drinking flat Coke out of a plastic cup – wishing I had the can of flat coke, eating nasty peanuts, smelling old fart smells in a sealed capsule filled with 125 people with nasty coughs and sneezes, sitting across from a mom who changes a shit diaper and puts it on the floor) nah, air travel is great!
Thanks Gerald! I wonder if the girls will dig my boots and hat? Is THIS what you suggest I wear?
Hi Susan,
Thanks so much for your encouraging feedback! I will totally go in there and show em’ what I got! By the way, I absolutely love your blog! Very clean, warm and professional.
Hi Bradley,
Haha… you are right! So what I will do is bring about five laptops and pass them out to everyone and I’ll just write a post on my blog and have them read it. Joking… LOL!!!
I think things are going to be great. The initial shock of this seems to be subsiding a little bit and to be honest, I totally have a clear picture on my presentation and how the meeting will go.
Everyone has been so supportive tonight, I really appreciate everyone helping out so much. Thank you.
Now that is terribly funny. And you know what? I don’t think you are telling a lie either! Man, you’re gonna get yourself kicked off a plane one day for doing that! I would die laughing if you did that next to me!
I have already started working on the presentation and things are flowing very nicely. Of course when I get there I will have to keep myself from sweating like a stuffed pig! LOL!!!
Hi Kim,
You have a very good point. If I look at this more in a perspective as I am helping (just like I do everyday) rather than have the mindset that I am selling, things will flow much more naturally for me. Very very good point. Thanks!
P.S. My virtual assistant is trying to over charge me!!! lol
I WAS going to say the exact same thing as Joe said, but he beat me to it (great minds think alike!)
I have no doubt you are perfect for whatever it is they are looking for. Thing is, are THEY perfect for YOU? Remember, sometimes these type meetings are best looked at as a mutual, two-way interview as opposed to you trying to sell yourself.
Your work speaks for itself, Gary… I have no doubt this will go exactly as you want it to go.
All the best!
Jennifer
~PotPieGirl
Thanks for your feedback Kathy. This is very insightful. Your kind wishes are also very appreciated.
The owners of the house that I rent a room at would probably not be happy…lol! I am interested in getting in touch with you and whoever else wants to join. I just didn’t know if you were coming to Dallas. You’ve got my email. I’ll send you my cell number.
Good luck. You already know they want you so just be yourself.
Dude… if I make it big time, you are soooooo getting a new guitar from me. hehe!!!
I haven’t been very active with commenting, but I really enjoy your blog a lot. I told you that I used to play, right? I am really wanting to start it up again too.
Garry,
All I can say is that you have been practicing for this for a long time…..enjoy yourself.
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…
It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
Go enjoy and get em!!!
Ric
Freddie,
You have always been so supportive of me for long time. Thanks a lot. Coming from you, this means a lot.
P.S. To everyone reading this, you have got to check out Freddie’s about me page… It’s hot! So much time and energy went into it. I consider this a live example of what everyone’s about me page should look like. A + + +
And bring your horse. Everyone here has a horse (and an oil well).
Very true Ric… also too, I think it would be safe to consider that if things don’t work out the way I want them too, then there will be many more opportunites in the future. Life is awesome for me already. I am self-employed and as it stands, I have the best job in the world, so anything else is just a bonus.
And another thing — I would not mention that whole GarryPorn.com plan…
Now THAT was funny!
I was really hoping that I could borrow yours… lol
I was really hoping that I could borrow your horse. lol
Careful man… I might be bringing my filming crew to your crib!!! LOL
Hi Amaete,
Thanks for your warm words. The only country I am an ambassador of is the Country of Conn. It is a place where no one gets scammed but everyone gets Conned.
All joking aside, I totally appreciate your comment and am thankful for your prayers.
Wow… Jennifer you rock! You are right. Why should I go there trying to sell myself. I should go there with mindset of having them sell to me. So very true!
Congratulations Garry!
Wow, take a look at how much your life has changed in the last five years. Just shows what hard work, perseverance, and a little talent
can do.
As far as the interview, just be yourself.
Remember your interviewing them too.
Its cool Garry, Texas is way better than you may think. Like Mark said we all ride horses and have an oil well.
Seriously, I used to work up the Dallas area for Match.com – very cool company. I’m down in Austin now – which is an awesome city if you ever have a chance to visit.
Good luck, you’ll do great! .. you’ll have to excuse me now, I have a gusher ruining my leather sofa and my horse just ate one of boots
Garry,
Just be yourself. Have confidence in the ideas you are selling (or in yourself if you are selling yourself). They need to see that you believe in your ideas or they will never believe in them either.
If you are heading to houston then let me know and maybe we can hook up. I almost over this cold. My hunch is that you are headed to either Dallas or Houston based on your current business affiliations… but I could be TOTALLY wrong. Austin would be my third choice.
I am sure you will do an AWESOME job.
Oh, and Texas is great! Have a great time on your trip.
Blessings,
George
Hi Gary,
First off, congratulations on all your success with blogging. You’ve gained the attention of these executives for a reason.
Second, don’t think about selling yourself or your service. Find out what they need and how you can help them achieve their goals. It’s about them and their needs and you’re just there to see if there’s a fit. If you haven’t heard of Ari Galper, check him out. He’s got a great approach to selling without pressure.
You’ll do great, Gary and I look forward to hearing all about it when you get back.
Cheers,
Theresa
Ha.
Yeah I’ve gotta get updating. I just recently got “employed” doing some web design freelance style. That is sorta taking up my time but I want to get my blogs rolling again soon.
I just know your gonna kill it though !!
Garry,
Just be yourself and prep yourself with a list of the many great ideas you have came up with & even some that did not work out so well.
On the List Categorize Possibilities that may unexpectedly come up and have you simple short answers ready just in case.
You have that magic spark that is making you a great leader that makes your competition Try to Copy your Game-Plan and pretend they are your associate and best freind…
Hello Garry
Provide them VALUE, and see if they do the same for you!
Trust your instincts, do NOT sell yourself short….it might not be a good fit for YOU!
Visualize the result you want from the experience!
Have a great day in Texas anyway!!
Leo Hanes
Blogging can definitely open doors. I’ve seen that myself over the last couple of years. Good luck, Garry!
Hi Gary
I know your flight will be good. About the presentation. I once heard a guy mentioned a technique that he uses when speaking in front of people to soften the nerves.
Just imagine all the people in front of you naked (hopefully there will be some girls there as well)
This takes away the stress and can actually give you a few laughs as well. They wouldn’t know what you are laughing about. Hope it helps.
Garry,
First of all, congratulations! Well done, you.
About the travel: take something with you that’s dear to you. A family photo, your wife’s chain or something. Something comforting.
I run workshops (mostly in schools) so I know how nerve-wracking it can get. My coping mechanisms are the following:
– I focus on the day after the workshop when I’ll be looking back on it
– I tell myself that nervous is good ‘cos it means I care
– I tell myself I’m human with my own foibles, just like the participants in my workshop
– I tell myself there’s a reason why I’ve been asked to be there
Though I’ve had some hiccups in my workshops, most of the time the challenges I anticipate are not nearly as bad as what I fear they will be.
I hope this helps you. I’m rooting for you. (Oh, another thing that might help: speak to them the way you speak to us on this blog. Consider them to be bloggers except that you’re seeing these ones in the flesh.)
take care…
Hi Gary
I know the flight will be good – nothing to worry about.
You have probably heard the story about the guy who was scared to talk in front of crowds until somebody gave him this advice…just imagine seeing all the people in front of you without their clothes on. It will take away all the stress…gauranteed
Dear Garry,
You’ve been working hard for this and you deserve it. You have helped so many people, now you need to let the good come back to you.
For years, when I had to make presentations to corporate execs, I used a mental image taught to me by an old time trainer: Just remember that they put their pants (or pantyhose) on one leg at a time and they have the same bodily functions as the rest of us. Takes some of the glamour off and puts you mentally on par with ANYONE.
And, respect for ourselves and others is the most professional attitude there is.
You’ll do GREAT!
Love & Best Wishes,
Brennan
Safe travels Garry – I think it’s the whole getting older thing regarding travel – I hate it too. What airport are you flying in to? Man, I sure wish I could meet you and Mark for lunch – I’d definitely buy. Texas is big, but not that big.
I gotta go with this bud, THEY asked YOU.
Go in seeming more annoyed then excited; put THEM on edge. LOL!
Just kidding man, you’ll do great; I await full details!
It’s a one plane flight garry no need to be scared of it.. i wish you with a luck, hopefully u’ll achieve what you want the most, but frankly speaking u are the most perfect blogger i ever met.. and also to all the bloggers inside garry’s mind..
Good luck for you at texas man..
Gotta be somebody somehow..
Hey Garry, this is great news and I must say there is no need to be nervous at all. Ok, you may have not done this type of presentations before but just take it as doing one of your blogging presentations. Communicating through a blog is just one of a presentation you know. With your wealth of experience as an internet marketer knowing what you should really focus on should not be a problem to you. Just be yourself.
Truly blogging brings amazing opportunities. That’s one of the reasons I decided to move to blogging after trying my hands on article (bum) marketing for some time. I look forward to some opportunities like this in the nearest future!
Congrats dear friend, wishing you the best.
It’s my first time here! Truly, blogging has become one of the alternatives in marketing since there has been a tremendous increase of internet users.
By the way, how was the meeting? Was it finished? Anyway, I wish you the best.
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